Review: Mirror’s Edge
6 hours of story but a time trial to last you a life time. Don't miss this.Published 13/11/2008 at 9:37 by nofi
Mirror’s Edge DLC For Free [89]
Mirror’s Edge Gets Sequel [46]
Mirror’s Edge DLC Today [16]
Whether you view developers and publishers as evil multi-national corporations, or just guys wanting to make a living, when something original comes around they should be applauded; both the teams behind the code and the men with the money willing to finance the game in the hope that the public will buy the finished product. Recently EA are on a bit of a roll with brand new IPs, and although Dead Space was brilliant, it relied on a tried and tested formula despite pushing the survival horror genre to new levels – Mirror’s Edge, however, is utterly new and all the more striking for it, and we’ve not seen something this dazzlingly original since the glory days of the Amiga.
Firstly, despite the first-person viewpoint and the option to carry (and shoot) a gun, this isn’t a first person shooter. Play it like one and you’re not only missing the point but you’ll probably never get past the first level. Secondly, despite the jumping and vertigo-inducing heights this isn’t a platformer either: there are no double-jumps, no Goombas and no dragging bits of cardboard around to make ramps. In fact, Mirror’s Edge doesn’t yet have a pigeon-hole because it pitches elements from all of the above and wraps them up in something completely new, all dressed in a startling primary range of colours set against a bleached white sky. There’s nothing except the route in front of you and the occasional glimpse of your character’s arms and legs. It doesn’t even have a HUD.
What it does have is an instantly likeable main avatar: Faith, complete with a sketchy background and a rag-tag group of friends. The story is played out via animated cut-scenes and real-time game engine cutscenes, and although DICE have attempted to work a story in there, it’s clearly an afterthought and is almost entirely superfluous anyway to the action, which you’re thrown in almost immediately after a short tutorial. It’s important to spend time with the tutorial, because although most of us are familiar with the usual look-move FPS control set, the addition of jumping and crouching as a core game mechanic is entirely new. Faith can scale ladders, vault fences, scramble up walls and leap from vertical pipe to metal ledge all using L1, and can crouch, tuck and roll with L2. These two buttons will form the combos as your experience with level grows, and apart from the attack button (R2) are really all you need to remember.
The basic premise of each section of the story (and thus the subsequence chance to replay via the Time Trial mode) is to get from one part of the map to another, alive and as quickly as possible. This is achieved by the Parkour-like movements described in the paragraph above, and topped with balancing on beams and wall-running. The most obvious path is often highlighted with a bright red dye, be that a springboard or a ladder, but is rarely the quickest and most direct route, which is where the Time Trial mode comes in to play. For example, the tutorial level can be beaten in just under 2 minutes on perhaps your second play through, but for the full 3-star rating you’ll need to beat it under 60 seconds, which will require serious skill and a keen eye.
Mirror’s Edge demands more from the player than most similar games because objects in the environment that would normally be unsurmountable barriers become a starting point for a series of scrambles, leaps and vaults not possible in any other game. Can’t find a way up a wall? Chances are you’ll need to run horizontally over a large gap, fling yourself onto a ladder, reverse flip and grab hold of something previously out of sight, and this is often done against a background of Blue gunfire and an omnipresent threat from a helicopter, the reason for the presence of both outlined in the story cut-scenes. This, coupled with some throbbing background music creates a real sense of tension and urgency, and the notion that if you stop you’ll be cut to pieces with bullets means that you’ll always need to find the quickest route out.
There are other elements, too – it’s not just running and jumping. Faith is handy enough with a pistol to make some sections easier to shoot through than avoid, and her hand-to-hand moveset includes the option to disarm the enemy if timed correctly; attacks can be combined with the jump and crouch button too to create flying kicks and sweeps. There’s also an ‘interact’ button (for lifts) and a slow motion button (for wimps). When done correctly, and with a bit of practice, speed runs can look supremely impressive, and it’s in the game’s suplementary Time Trial mode that the game really comes into it’s own, with online leaderboards and Trophies designed to get the most of the game’s otherwise limited replayability.
With a fairly short story mode (you’ll get through it in around six hours) the decision on whether to pick up the game will lie with how you feel about the game’s core mechanics and whether you’re prepared to spend hours searching for the perfect route to be crowned the king of the leaderboards. Sure, it’s not the longest game every released but there’s no filler either – each and every second of the story mode is packed with action, from leaping massive building-wide jumps to sprinting through police-infested office blocks. There’s not a single part of the game we didn’t enjoy replaying, it’s a visual tour-de-force (albeit a rather minimal, Designers Republic style affair) and the music is to die for (and has it’s own player in the options). Could have done with a co-op mode, perhaps, but the promised DLC will surely keep us going for some time.
A complete surprise, then. Try the demo on the PSN Store, at least, and then hopefully we’ll see you on the leaderboards.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
smartybarty | 13/11/2008 09:46
Member
0 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
I recently left the IGN review section to check them here instead (sinds the’ve lost any credibility in my eyes with the recent scores)
I must say i mostly agree with your ratings/comment etc. but i dont think this game should get an 8 in my opinion…
Played the demo and its something new i give em that, but its a fun game i guess nothing more, nothing less
will not be picking up this one sinds i need to get COD5 tomorrow!
(shamefully admits he’s getting LBP later on…)
(ps) finally played through Fallout3 in a mere 110 hours of gameplay
lol
nofi | 13/11/2008 09:58
Wants a custom tag.
4307 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
The full game obviously offers more than the demo, which is why we didn’t review it until we got the final version of the game.
MarkSawbo | 13/11/2008 09:52
Member
218 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
Nice review! I was adamant on picking this up tomorrow with cod5 but i could just rent it finnish it (trophy whore) for £4 (1 week). Instead il get band of brothers on blu-ray
looks a great game tho, just a shame its got more content. I brought 007 and finished it in the night, luckily my girlfriend was able to take it back and get credit for it, so i wont have to do it this time.
Eldave0 | 13/11/2008 09:59
Member
60 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
you are truely the master of timing nofi
was just firing up my pc hoping you had done a review for mirrors edge and here it be heh.
looks a great game, loved the demo. will have to give it a rent and play through it this weekend
cc_star | 13/11/2008 10:16
Team TSA: Writer
7874 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
The 6 hours thing is an issue, but only for the undecided.
If you liked the demo you will love the full game. The idea of the game is to hone your technique and find a better route all while sprinting along at full speed.
This isn’t as easy as it sounds, and the techniques involved require large amounts of skill and timing.
Later in the game the ‘runners vision’ (the red dye) becomes extremely sparse and you really do have to hunt out the path needed to get to the end, all takes place with people chasing and shooting you. Even though you do get a gun, stopping to shoot people eats in to your time and there are Trophy’s for not firing a weapon, or for going through the game without hurting anyone with a gun.
The game is very difficult to pigeon hole, but the approach needed to get the most out of the game and to add huge replay value is more akin to the last GranTurismo I played GT3 A Spec (I haven’t brought 5 yet) where if you can just approach a corner at the right speed, pick the perfect path through it, you can shave a valuable fraction of a second off your time and makes the difference between silver and gold. There are also hidden packets to collect, do you search them out or do you go for the time? there are rewards for both.
This game would probably top the charts at any other time of the year, but perhaps a number 10 at Christmas is more sales than a number 1 in August I don’t know.
Mirrors Edge the perfect game for perfectionists.
bantam | 13/11/2008 10:29
Member
44 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Really liked the demo but think I’ll wait for the new year and a drop in price on this one. Got to be picky this time of year and think there are fuller experiences out there for me.
Pixl1983 | 13/11/2008 10:55
Member
491 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I hope people will buy this. EA needs to see financial reward for their risk. If not, I hope they will see the critical success this game is receiving. I’ve been following this ever since it was revealed in Edge ages ago and I’ve watched the concept and mechanics progress. This, along with the euphoria physics engine and the concept behind LBP’s creation ethos, are the kind of advancements I have been hoping for this generation. The focus should not be on ‘bigger, better and more badass’ but rather the immersion, cinematic techniques and freedom.
There’s a lot of good competition this winter but hopefully Mirrors Edge will have the pulling power to get the attention it deserves.
cc_star | 13/11/2008 11:03
Team TSA: Writer
7874 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Agreed, but bigger better and more badass is also good. Talking of immersion have you played Dead Space?
Dead Space & Mirrors Edge are two big risks for EA as they attempt to make their business more rounded and step out of the annual update cycle that we’re used to
New IP’s at Christams = big risk, If it doesn’t make them money though they may not repeat it, beyond whats already in production. If it does work however they may be inclined to take more risks in future, and other large companies may decide to follow them in taking risks, and then we’ll all be better off.
Pingu | 13/11/2008 11:03
Member
69 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
I’ll definitley pick it up. When, is another question though. Got to prioritize(?) the games I want now, ’cause there’s a lot of them. I think it’ll be best to get those with most playtime first. We’ll see.
Nice review
nineself | 13/11/2008 11:17
Member
129 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Gonna rent this one. I was mulling over buying it, but cash issues are forcing me to only drop serious cash on games that have some longevity to them.
Eldave0 | 13/11/2008 11:21
Member
60 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
agreed. games under about 10 hrs in length or which dont have a multiplayer mode are instant rentals for me given the sheer volume of great games out at the moment
cc_star | 13/11/2008 11:27
Team TSA: Writer
7874 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I see both your points.
But I’ve brought a couple of games with hundreds of hours of play in them, GTA IV and Fallout 3.
I was amazingly disappointed with both, and played neither as long as I did even the Mirrors Edge demo, I traded in GTA, and sold Fallout 3 to my brother.
Long game does not equal great game.
New IP = Good for the industry
Eldave0 | 13/11/2008 11:36
Member
60 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
im with you in that im not a fan of those games either. due to the great titles over the past year i’ve had to become more critical of games else I wouldnt have been able to put food on the table at the end of each month!
im not a fan of the massive “play-me-for-hundreds-of-hours” titles such as oblivion, fallout, gta but at the same time im the sort to finish a 6 hr game and think “ok thats that done… now what?”
i spose its a matter of finding the right balance of value for money but not making the game so long it becomes repetitive and a drag..
nineself | 13/11/2008 11:42
Member
129 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
I agree that not all long games are good, but regardless of a games quality I find it hard to sink £40 into something that will last a weekend. I would love to buy Mirrors Edge if only to support new IP’s and help get the message through that gamers like and are willing to support them. Alas I got my power bill yesterday. I really think that games with short singleplayer campaigns and limited multiplayer will suffer over the recession as penniless scrubs like me will rent them.
I am seriously considering forking out for Resistance 2 though, I need a gigantic multiplayer to sink a few months into. Much like COD4, I would be glad to splurge £40 on it.
cc_star | 13/11/2008 11:54
Team TSA: Writer
7874 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Anyway I’m not on commission from EA (unless they want to contact me?)
Everyone knows CoDWoW will be No.1 this week, and Tomb Raider will be next
Sequels = Cash Cow
I’ve got loads of games lately that are deserving of more time, hopefully January is sparse and I can get on with Burout, the excellent Dead Space, whoop some ass on Fifa etc… etc…
Eldave0 | 13/11/2008 12:01
Member
60 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
mcphatty | 13/11/2008 12:41
Member
262 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
For some reason I had Gloria by Laura Branigan in my head, then whilst reading this review Gloria the hippo flashes up in an advert for Madagascar2! Adsense is a freaky thing.
Good review, though it would have been nice to know what you thought of the difficulty through the game and whether the plot keeps you going (or is it just the gameplay). But then again, I couldn’t write a decent review
I agree about this one being a game to get after playing the seasons big ones and I think it’ll end up being sold on by a lot of people like you would after playing Resistance.
Eldave0 | 13/11/2008 12:58
Member
60 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
“and whether the plot keeps you going (or is it just the gameplay).”
from what i’ve heard story is not the games strong point. its really just an excuse for some runners to…run around from rooftop to rooftop. sounds very much like the gameplay is whats getting this game such good reviews
nofi | 13/11/2008 13:34
Wants a custom tag.
4307 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
@mcphatty: The difficulty’s about spot-on, with a great learning curve. There are multiple difficulty levels, too.
mcphatty | 13/11/2008 14:44
Member
262 TSA Points | Member since: Sep 2008
Thanks Nofi!
TheDeathAvenger | 13/11/2008 13:44
Member
1653 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Got my copy today. Can’t play it till Christmas though. That’s 6 whole weeks! Oh well, at least I got COD5 today as well, and that’s not a christmas present. Not played MotorStorm or Fallout 3 yet, so them, LBP and R2 (when it comes out) should keep me going.
Hodgi92 | 13/11/2008 15:30
The Thumb
1059 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
You put me in a pickle nofi, I was gunna buy this game, then just rent but now I wanna buy it again
RocketSOL | 13/11/2008 16:02
Member
544 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
good review. i enjoyed the demo, but this game along with many others will have to wait. no money at all as ive forked out for a lovely month long holiday in december…the joy.
i’ll bribe the parents for a few games in the january sales perhaps, and definately killzone 2 in february! of the games which released from september, which are worth getting? (in order i guess)
Eldave0 | 13/11/2008 16:10
Member
60 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
cod5
(in that order)
haha. i cant afford anymore than one till the end of the year
RocketSOL | 13/11/2008 16:29
Member
544 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
haha. thats a tight list you got there mate. i must admit that cod5 does look good. i think it looks a bit sharper than cod4, from what ive seen anyway.
artefx | 13/11/2008 21:31
Member
910 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
Received this game today in the post. Play.com delivering before release date again! (shock, gasp!).
I’ve gotta say this game is awesome. The sense of speed you have is top notch, and I’m loving the minimal design spec. I can see myself spending hours on the time trials trying to beat mine and the top times.
Wonder what the dlc they’ve mentioned is…hmmmm
GTOWN | 13/11/2008 21:49
Member
444 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
better review here.
Sorry guys.
http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=62&message.id=1097318&jump=true#M1097318